Westmoreland County Schools: State recommends remote learning

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

As Westmoreland County enters its second week of having substantial transmission of COVID-19, the state recommended Monday that all schools switch to remote learning.

Monessen City and Belle Vernon Area school districts have chosen to continue their hybrid learning models for now.

“One of the guidelines from (the Department of Education) allows us to decide when it is best to switch models, so we are staying the course in hybrid for now,” said Monessen Superintendent Dr. Leanne Spazak.

At Monessen, students are divided into two groups and attend classes in person two days a week — either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. The buildings are closed on Fridays for deep cleaning. 

“We have had one case so far with a staff member who has limited access to students and other staff to this point,” Spazak said. “While our hybrid model adheres to social distancing and limits the total number of students in the building, we are taking the recommendations seriously.”

Spazak said the administration and school board will discuss future plans at the Nov. 4 board meeting. 

“We want to offer face to face as long as possible, but we won’t risk the health and safety of our students and staff if it becomes necessary to switch to remote learning,” Spazak said.

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